My first reef tank 30G tall...magnum canister vs skimmer???

[Teeterz]

Hello MAAST! first time reefer, first time post :). A few weeks ago I acquired my first reef tank, a 30g tall setup, can be seen here --> http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/25367-30-gallon-tall-set-up-sold/

Anyways, I'm learning, taking lots of information in real fast. My question which I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere is as follows... The tank (as seen in the link) came with a nano remora skimmer as well as a Magnum 350 canister filter. Would it be ok to run the Magnum 350 without the skimmer? or is the Magnum 350 strictly a "polish-every-once-in-a-while" type mechanism.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Love the MAAST community!

[Zack]

I think Ace ran a Magnum HOT as a carbon reactor on his 29 gallon acan tank, I personally haven't used it for SW but had great results with the magnum HOT for fresh water cichlids. The magnum in itself is a filter, which can harbor nitrates, but does not need a skimmer to run. Is there a reason why you don't want to run the skimmer?

[Teeterz]

Is there a reason why you don't want to run the skimmer?

Other than just minimizing excessive clutter hanging off the back, not really. I don't have a sump, or room for one for that matter. I've read the Magnum 350 can filter tanks up to 100g, so I figured in my 30g tank, it would suffice in filtering everything that needs to be without the need for a skimmer.

[Zack]

I think the skimmer is really a necessity for this size tank, also the magnum rating is, in my opinion a bit over-stated. I ran a filter for a 70 gallon on an 8 gallon tank for a while and even then I felt it was underpowered.